1 Thessalonians 2:18

Wherefore we would have come unto you The true reading is because not "wherefore," due probably to a misunderstanding of the following verb, which is not removed by the rendering of the R. V., "because we would fainhave come." This but repeats the "great desire" just expressed; whereas the Greek verb implies resolutionrather than inclination. The Apostle, as we understand him, is giving the explanation of his strenuous endeavours (1 Thessalonians 2:17), lying behind them in his determined will because we had resolved to come to you: "we had set our minds upon it."

even I Paul Better, I Paul, for my part. He speaks for himself: Timothy did return after a time (ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2); and Silas had been left behind in Macedonia (Acts 17:14; Acts 18:5). Paul had not come at all; but it was not for want of will.

And the Apostle had made up his mind to this more than once both once and twice. Silas had, no doubt, shared in the wish and endeavour to return from Berœa; the second attempt, likewise frustrated, was made by the Apostle alone, from Athens(ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:1). The expression recurs in Philippians 4:16. Compare with the whole statement Romans 1:13: "Many times I purposed to come to you, and have been hindered hitherto." The Apostle's prophetic gift did not save him from the discipline of disappointment.

but Satan hindered us Properly, and Satan, &c.: "but" would be the regular conjunction here; there is a slight dislocation of structure in the sentence, due to excited feeling. We may paraphrase the sentence thus: We strove eagerly to find means of coming to see you; indeed, for my part, I had made up my mind to do it more than once; and our way was blocked, by Satan! What form the hindrance took we can only guess. Jewish malice doubtless had much to do with it. But behind this baffling and unforeseen combination of circumstances the Apostle discerned the craft of the Arch-enemy.

Satan i.e. "the Adversary," is the O.T. name of the Leader of evil spirits, the great enemy of God and man called also "the Devil" (Slanderer), "the Evil One" (2 Thessalonians 3:3), and "the Tempter" (ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:5). Satan is, throughout the New Testament, a real personality, and no figure of speech. See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:9; and comp. Revelation 12:9.

To account for his intense longing to see the Thessalonians, St Paul describes his interest in them in the glowing terms that follow: